The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced a $290 million total investment across eight Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes (QLCIs), expanding its national framework under the National Quantum Initiative Act. As part of this national rollout, the University of Chicago-led Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Quantum Sensing for Biophysics and Bioengineering (NSF QuBBE) received a $37.5 million, five-year renewal to transition bio-oriented quantum sensing from laboratory proofs-of-concept into robust, in vivo tools for biomedical research.
| [ NSF QuBBE Phase 2 Architecture & R&D Stack ] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Quantum Sensing Modalities | Biomedical Application Workstreams | Workforce & Regional Ecosystem |
| • Genetically Encodable Protein Qubits | • In Vivo Nanoscale NMR & Bio-Imaging | • CSU Quantum Institute & Q-Cert Program |
| • Diamond Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) Centers | • Entanglement-Enhanced Sensing | • CSU Master’s in Quantum Science |
| • Fluorescent Protein Spin Qubits | • Cellular Activity Nanodiamond Probes | • UIC Quantum Academy (K-12 Pathways) |
Advancing Genetically Encodable Qubits and In Vivo Sensing
Building on Phase 1 breakthroughs—including the demonstration by UChicago PME Associate Professor Peter Maurer and Professor David Awschalom that fluorescent proteins can function as spin qubits—Phase 2 integrates sensor engineering directly into complex cellular environments:
- Protein Qubits vs. Diamond Probes: While NV-center nanodiamonds offer high sensitivity, placing them precisely inside living cells remains challenging. Genetically encodable protein qubits are roughly ten times smaller than nanodiamond sensors and can be expressed directly inside living cells via genetic targeting.
- Phase 2 Research Thrusts: QuBBE will advance four interconnected workstreams: novel biological nanoprobes, entanglement and squeezed light sensing, in vivo cellular measurement, and broad clinical/biological technology adoption.
- Berggren Center Integration: The effort integrates with UChicago PME’s new Berggren Center for Quantum Biology and Medicine to train clinicians and translate quantum sensors into healthcare tools.
Comprehensive Expansion of NSF QLCI Network ($290M Program)
The $290M NSF package funds three new research centers and renews five established institutes across 36 higher education institutions and 19 states:
- NSF QuBBE ($37.5M, Renewed): Led by UChicago, with Chicago State University (CSU), University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), and Harvard University.
- NSF FTQSAA (New): Focused on fault-tolerant hardware, software, and robust materials.
- NSF HQAN (Renewed): Focused on hybrid, modular quantum architecture networks.
- NSF MARQUIS (New): Focused on manufacturable superconducting Josephson junctions.
- NSF PRACTIQAL (New): Focused on practical quantum error correction algorithms.
- NSF CIQC (Renewed): Focused on quantum algorithms across neutral atoms and trapped ions.
- NSF Q-SEnSE (Renewed): Focused on molecular sensors, solid-state systems, and atomic clocks.
- NSF RQS (Renewed): Focused on robust quantum simulation architectures.
Led by QuBBE Director Prof. Greg Engel, Deputy Director Prof. Allison Squires, and CSU Workforce Lead Prof. Valerie Goss, the renewed grant runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2031.
Review official release details on EurekAlert! here, and inspect program details via the National Science Foundation here.
August 25, 2026
Leave A Comment